The Legends Of The Napa Valley

In 1987, the Napa Valley Vintner's Association honored 12 vintners. Interviewer Adam R. Bronfman visits with these leaders in the American wine industry, and discusses their contributions to the rise to world prominence of the California wines. Arriving in the second half of the nineteenth century the forebears of this illustrious group created a region of vineyards in the fertile Napa Valley. Robert and Peter Mondavi recall how their sibling rivalry resulted in two separate vineyards; Leigh F. Knowles talks about his days with the Glenn Miller band before becoming a vintner (he has a wonderful anecdote about the reaction of the band members when they first tried "In the Mood"); and the late Myron Nightingale dismisses the myths and snobbery that have grown up around the whole wine tasting culture. In addition to the interviews, wine expert Maynard Amerine discusses the art of tasting wine-broken into its separate components of sight, smell, and taste. The program is nicely paced, technically well done, and likely to be of interest to wine lovers. Recommended. (Available from most distributors.)